The Portuguese giants have paid £3million for one of the hottest properties in Scottish football, and the 18-year-old has put pen to paper on a six-year deal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

It means that the one-cap Scotland under-21 international will find himself plying his trade in the Champions League next season, after the Lions finished second in Portugal's top-flight last term.

But what exactly do we know about the young whizzkid, nicknamed by some as "mini Messi".

Here's the full lowdown:

Background

Born in Aberdeen in December 1995, Gauld began as a youngster with Brechin City in 2003, before joining Dundee United's youth set-up in 2006 as a 10-year-old.

He made his league debut for the senior team in 2012 as a 16-year-old, appearing against Motherwell on the final day of the 2011-12 season in a 2-0 win.

The following season he made 10 SPL appearances for the Tangerines, scoring his first senior goal in April 2013 against St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Enhanced reputation

Last term he made 38 appearances in all competitions for the side, now under the leadership of Jackie McNamara.

A side based around its young players made its way to the Scottish Cup final, with Gauld playing a starring role in the semi-final win over Rangers at Ibrox. Gauld played the final 26 minutes at Hampden Park, but Dundee were beaten 2-0 by St. Johnstone.

His performances during the course of the season saw him shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award - won by his teammate Andrew Robertson.

Strengths

Dribbling. The diminutive winger has quick feet and knows how to use them, and last season added end product to his game, scoring eight goals in 38 games.

Paired with his ability to beat a man is a deceptive turn of pace that has burned off more than its fair share of SPL defenders; he's not Gareth Bale, powering past people on 50-yard blitzes, but in tight areas he's sharp and bright and over 15-20 yards gets away from opponents.

At a club that developed Luis Figo, Ricardo Quaresma and Cristiano Ronaldo, it bodes well.

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Weaknesses

His low centre of gravity and sharp change of direction allows Gauld to ease away from challenges and opponents. However, his slight frame - he stands at just 5'6" and weighs little more than a biscuit - means that he isn't a force aerially, while teams can look to physically overpower him.

Gauld has come in for some rough treatment in Scottish football as opponents began to pinpoint his natural ability. In the more technical Liga Sagres, he may see less physical attention, which will likely work to his benefit.

Mini Messi

Dubbed the "mini Messi" or "baby Messi", Gauld is even shorter than the Argentine superstar (a whole two inches in fact).

And while comparisons between the young Scot and the four-time Ballon d'Or winner are something of a stretch, there is some merit too them.

(Image: Rex)

Like the young Messi, Gauld has a happy knack of drifting into channels, facing opponents and flicking to his left, easing away from his man with a neat turn of acceleration.

However, he needs to add on some muscle to his slender frame to be able to take the kind of knocks that the Argentine skipper does. Oh, and he'll need to be more decisive at higher levels, if he's to add any kind of gravitas to the claims.

Brits abroad

Gauld won't be the only young British player on the Sporting staff next season.

England under-21 international Eric Dier - who spent six months on loan at Everton in 2011 - is also there.

The 20-year-old defender has been splitting duties between the Sporting B and first team in the last two years, and has 30 first-team appearances under his belt during the last two seasons.

He'll be looking to play a more significant part during the coming campaign.